Town News Briefing

September 07, 2005

MANCHESTER

Police Warn About

Attempted Kidnapping

MANCHESTER -- Police are asking people to be on the lookout for a man who allegedly tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl Tuesday.

FOR THE RECORD - Correction published 9/14/05. Shawn Houle, 36, of Colchester, pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine Sept. 6 in Superior Court in Middletown to two counts of risk of injury in connection with sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl repeatedly between 2002 and 2004. That doctrine means Houle did not agree to the facts of the case, but conceded he would likely be convicted at a trial. A story on Page B2 on Sept. 7 omitted the details about that doctrine.

Police said that the girl was on her way home from school and was on Spruce Street in front of Nathan Hale School when, at about 3:30 p.m., she was approached by a stranger.

The stranger, described as a white man with black hair and mustache, ordered her to get in a black four-door vehicle. She ran away and the man drove off, police said. The man did not touch the girl and she was not injured, police said.

Anyone who has more information on the man may call the Manchester Police Department at 860-645-5561.

EAST HARTFORD

Parent Training Course

Offered To Residents

This October, East Hartford ChildPlan Inc. will offer the first Parent Leadership Training Institute for East Hartford residents. The institute will be held one night a week for 20 weeks starting the week of Oct. 10. Free child care and dinner will be provided at each session.

The institute was established in 1992 by the Connecticut Commission on Children, which worked with the American Leadership Forum and Leadership Greater Hartford to design the program. It teaches parents and guardians to become advocates for their children.

The application process is competitive and limited to 25 residents. Applicants do not have to be a parent. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and concerned citizens are invited to apply. The application deadline is Thursday. For more information, call ChildPlan at 860-568-0181.

BOLTON

Historian To Give

Talk On Theologian

BOLTON -- The Bolton Land Trust will lead the ``Rose Farm Ramble'' on Saturday.

Town Historian Hans DePold will give a presentation about Jonathan Edwards, a prominent 18th century theologian and the first pastor of Bolton Congregational Church. DePold will talk about his religious experiences in the fields of the Rose Farm.

The hike, part of the land trust's ``Discover Bolton 2005'' walk series, will begin at the Hop River Rail Trail where it crosses Steeles Crossing Road. The road is located off Route 6 near the Coventry line.

The 2 p.m. hike will last about two hours and will be moderately difficult. The rain date is Sept. 11. Call 860-643-9302 to register or for more information.

HARTFORD

Man Seriously Injured

In Hit-Run Accident

A man was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by a car on Sigourney Street in the city's Asylum Hill neighborhood.

The man was hit around 2:45 p.m. in the 200 block of Sigourney Street by a vehicle that did not stop, police said. Further information about the man's identity and condition were not available.

HARTFORD

Police Investigating

Street Robbery

Police were investigating an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday shortly before noon in Hartford's Parkville section.

Two people told officers that they were near the intersection of Park Street and Bulkeley Avenue around 11:35 a.m. when two men with guns robbed them, police said. The men took a purse and a black backpack, then ran south on Bulkeley Avenue, police said.

The two people who reported the incident were not injured.

One of the men was described as black, with a dark complexion, about 21 to 23 years old, about 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, and wearing shorts and a sports shirt, police said.

The other man was described as black, with a medium complexion and a bald head, about 21 years old, about 6 feet tall, weighing about 140 pounds, wearing a blue sweat shirt with orange lines down the sides, and blue sweat pants.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the two men police are seeking is asked to call the Hartford Police Department at 860-527-6300.

HARTFORD

Ceremony Today

To Honor Phoenix

State, local and business leaders will gather in Hartford today to commemorate the donation of land from The Phoenix Companies Inc. to the state for the future Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration.

At 10:30 a.m. on the northeast corner of Grove Street and Columbus Boulevard, officials will hold the ceremony that also sets the project's fall groundbreaking of Oct. 21.

Fundraising for the facility is continuing. In June, the center announced a $1 million pledge from the Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation toward its $149.5 million goal. The project's funding includes $107 million from the state. The center has raised more than $22.5 million; it must still raise $19 million, center officials said.

In April, the center's board chose a builder, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. of Maryland, and two exhibit designers, Thinc Design of New York and Jeff Kennedy Associates of Boston. The designers will present some plans to the center's board this fall.

COLCHESTER

Guilty Plea

In Abuse Case

MIDDLETOWN -- A 36-year-old former Colchester man pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of risk of injury in connection with sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl repeatedly between 2002 and 2004.